The global exchange traded fund industry is coming off its best year ever, with record inflows of $1.4 trillion through the end of December, pushing total assets to $14 trillion, according to Matthew Bartolini, head of research at SPDR Americas at State Street Global Advisors.

“Within asset, both active equity and active fixed income, as well as ‘other’ active strategies, have had record inflows of $150 billion, $100 billion and $20 billion, respectively.” Bartolini pointed out.

Along with an increase in active funds, investors clamored for new ETFs on the scene.

“Another reason has to do with the launch of crypto ETFs. You’ve seen the Spot Bitcoin ETFs now coming up in January, the inflows have just been crazy,” said Sumit Roy, senior ETF analyst at ETF.com , on FOX Business.

Since launching on January 5, 2024, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF or (IBIT) has added more than $50 billion in assets, according to the firm, making it the best exchange-traded product ever.

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“Inflows into IBIT since launch underscore investors’ preference for gaining exposure to bitcoin through the convenience and quality of an exchange-traded product. The market has seen a renewed sense of optimism in anticipation of “a positive regulatory action for bitcoin and crypto. We remain focused on educating investors and providing access to bitcoin with convenience and transparency.” A BlackRock spokesperson told FOX Business in November.

Bitcoin has advanced more than 122% this yearreaching an all-time high of $106,734 and has since retreated from those levels. The crypto industry has received a boost following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the White House and the promise of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.

trump appointed former SEC official Paul Atkins, heavily favored by the industry, to replace current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler in January.

Another driver, those ETFs that are considered more “tactical” that allow you to position yourself on both sides of a trade. These ETFs are the four best performers of 2024, tracked by VettaFi, which rose between 428% and 178%, far outpacing the S&P 500’s 26% rise through Monday.

Best performing ETF of 2024: 12/29/2024 (VettaFi)

“If someone has a view that the market is going to go up or down in the short term, we have these tools for them,” Direxion CEO Ed Egilinsky told FOX Business.

The firm’s Direxion Daily NVDA Bull 2X shares have advanced more than 300% this year. Help investors capture the rise and/or fall of the AI ​​chip, dear Nvidia. “The single shares, the leveraged inverse single shares, we actually just eclipsed six billion with the franchisee,” he added.

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The company now has 13 individual stock ETFs, with possible plans to expand by 2025.